Walt is 46 yeas old and has been chronically worried about his health for several years. When he visited his internist for a general examination last year, his blood pressure was mildly elevated 145/93 and his electrocardiogram (ECG) was normal. The physician suggested that he have his blood pressure taken every few months, but dedided not to start him on any mediction. Despite the rassurance Walt became convinced that he had hypetension. He also began to complain of vague chest pains.
One night he waoke to fell his pulse throbbing in his forehead and some discomort in his chest. He became convinced that he was having an episode fo acute heptertension and a possible heart attack. He became so agitated that his wife drove him to the emergency room for an evaluation. The nurse took his blood pressure and found in to be mildly elevated at 155/95. An ECG was normal.
The next day Walt made an appointment with his physician. The examination in the doctor's office again showed a mildly elevated blood pressure of 145/90. The physician reassured Walt again, prescribed mild diuretic, and sent him home after telling him that his chest discomfort was not an indication of a heart attack. Walt felt somewhat better but began to worry again late in the evening when he became aware of his heart beat while lying quietly in bed.
What is Walt's mental disorder?
Should we be concerned with his elevated blood pressure? Explain. (Look it up on the internet. What is an acceptable range?)
One night he waoke to fell his pulse throbbing in his forehead and some discomort in his chest. He became convinced that he was having an episode fo acute heptertension and a possible heart attack. He became so agitated that his wife drove him to the emergency room for an evaluation. The nurse took his blood pressure and found in to be mildly elevated at 155/95. An ECG was normal.
The next day Walt made an appointment with his physician. The examination in the doctor's office again showed a mildly elevated blood pressure of 145/90. The physician reassured Walt again, prescribed mild diuretic, and sent him home after telling him that his chest discomfort was not an indication of a heart attack. Walt felt somewhat better but began to worry again late in the evening when he became aware of his heart beat while lying quietly in bed.